OK, so earlier this week we’ve covered off on a few of the basics on the art of waving while in the saddle. Now Part II: Conversation. On an easy recovery spin Sunday, I was fortunate enough to experience 40 miles of rolling human interaction that was unexpected. Barely into my chosen “flat” ride to the coast and up to Encinitas and back, I met a rider named Eric Nelson. From behind I spotted him at random. Clad in a Cervélo TestTeam jersey, he was waving to cyclists passing from the opposite direction. Saying hello. Waving. Asking a rider fixing a puncture if he needed help.
Eric Nelson is a friendly guy, a natural greeter and sincere fan of pro cycling. His favorite rider is Fabian Cancellara, known for power, grace and TT ability. We immediately struck up a conversation about this year’s teams, Tour contenders and the upcoming Spring Classics. I also shared that the 14 hours earlier I had finished a solo 110 miles in the dark. Legs now tender, I had no interest in intervals or “lighting up the road.” Long gone was any edge or aggression to press the pace. I was soft pedaling to move fresh blood through quads, hamstrings and calves. Eric, if you didn’t already guess, can lay down the hammer. I’d seen him fire up short but steep pitches a few times before in our neck of the woods last summer. But those times were also at dusk. Too late to commit socially. Two riders racing to beat darkness. Quick nods. No words. Mutual respect. Separate ways.
Sunday, though, was different. The sun was higher in the sky (although behind gray clouds). We stayed in the small ring the entire way over the pleasant terrain. Rain fell. It didn’t matter. We rode toward the ocean and acknowledged (while chatting) every nearby cyclist. We even waved at courteous motorists, and we provided a Clydesdale-sized slipstream for a rider on Highway 101 in Solana Beach prepping for the San Diego Gran Fondo. She thanked us for shielding her from the north wind before making a right turn toward her destination. Eric and I exchanged numbers, but not before a young guy and his girlfriend daughter walked up to me at Swami’s Park moments after I clicked a photo and tweeted it.
“Excuse me, do you keep a cycling blog?” he asked.
“I sure do,” I answered.
“Is it called BikeCrave?” he asked.
“Yeah. . . Uh, wow,” I said.
“I thought it might be you,” he went on. “I saw you taking a photo and thought I recognized your bike. I just want to say I really appreciate your blog.”
Those words (as well as those of Eric Nelson) stayed with me the entire work week of ups and downs in corporate life.
Conversation. Small world. Connecting. Is it random? Or destiny? Sometimes, life is full of surprises. Sunday presented one that I would rank among the best: making new friends. Wishing you great rides this weekend. Good evening from San Diego. Tomorrow, it’s back to Palomar Mountain, rain, sun, or snow.
Fabian Cancellara photo credit: Graeme Warren on flickr
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Glad I could share in the friendly interconnectedness of cyclists on the coast. I’m a wave-er, too – a habit I learned from an older mentor back when I was a teenager. Which leads me to a minor humorous correction I must make- the “young guy” is 41 and that was my 14 y.o. daughter with me. My wife will think this is hilarious, though… Keep up the good work; I’ll keep reading and hope to run into you again some time.